How are Venezuelan-Americans in Colorado reacting to Maduro’s arrest?
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Today, captured Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro made his first court appearance in a New York federal courtroom. Maduro entered a guilty plea, telling the court, "I am a decent man."
As his legal battle begins, many questions remain about what will happen in Venezuela, and there's no consensus among Venezuelan-Americans in Colorado Springs.
"I feel super, super emotional. I'm super grateful to the government, the United States, for help in my country," said Maunel, a Venezuelan American who moved to Colorado Springs in the last few years.
Despite mixed messages from the United States government on who will lead Venezuela in Maduro's stead, Manuel tells KRDO13 he's not worried because, well, it can't get much worse. The Venezuelan depression is part of what drove Manuel to leave the country.
"Everybody's excited for the new season in Venezuela. Really grateful for the first time for God and the second one, the United States Government," he said.
However, for those with immediate family still in the South American country, excitement is a little harder to come by.
"It was very shocking. You get a little bit of hope. But with that hope comes so many questions," said Maria, a local restaurateur in Colorado Springs.
She tells KRDO13 that her family was essentially live-streaming the bombings in real time as they happened Friday night.
"It's just very uncertain times. They're relieved that they're seeing some sort of movement," said Maria. However, she said there are no celebrations in the street because a lot of the people Maduro put into power are still there.
"They just want to know what's next."
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